, 1887-06-08
SHE SAW THE SULTAN.
IN English, Lady Has n Queer Interview
with Tho Turkish Ruler.

.fn English, Lady Has n Queer Interview
with Tho Turkish Ruler.
Lord and Lady - arrived at Con.
stantinople in 1841. They called on the
ambassador, Lord Ponsonby, and Lady
- requested his excellency to present
her to the sultan.
AS the presentation of a European lady
to his imperial majesty had never been
beard of in those days, Lord Ponsonby
declined to take steps TO meet the wishes
of the fair lady, on the plea that such an
unprecedented request might give annoy
ance to the sultan. Lady - was, how
ever, determined to gain her point, and
also to show Lord Ponsonby that if he
had not sufficient influence to obtain such
a special favor from the sultan another
representative might be found who would
pay more courteous attention to her
wishes.
Reahid Pasha, having made known to
tic sultan that a person had arrived at
Constantinople with a wonderful col
lection of most valuable jewelry, asked
whether his majesty would Like to see
them.
The following conversation is said to
have taken place:
Sultan-Let the jewelry be brought
and prices stated.
Reshid-This person never trusts the
jewelry to any one, and would have to
come in person.
. Sultan-Bring the jeweler.
Reshid Tin a h~esitating manner)-I
beg your majesty's pardon for indelicacy,
but it is-it is-a female lit was thought
improper to speak about any woman to
the ~sultanl, and she always carries the
jewels on her person when she wishes to
dispose of them for sale, end never puts
them In q case.
Sultan-Bring her, and let her put
them all on. You come also to inter-
prct.
Reshid returned and told the baron he
might inform Lady - that she would
be presented at a private audience by
him, but that the sultan, having heard of
the fame of her jewelry, had particu-
larly requested she would put it all on,
and he (the pasha) hoped she would raise
no objection to such q strange request.
Lady - wcs very good natured, and
being much amused at the condition
mate by the sultan, consented to put on
all her most valuable jewelry.
On arrival at the palace Reshid Pasha
conducted Lady - into the presence
Of tho sultan. Her dress glittered with
diamonds, pearls, t~urquoises and other
precious stones.
''Pekky-good, said the sultan [as
Lady - courtesied); ''she has brought
magnificent jewels"
Iteshid turning to the lady)-His
majesty graciously bids you welcome.
Lady - bowed and expressed her
thanks In French.
Reshid Gnterpreting)-She says she
has other jewelry, but could not put on
all.
SuItan-Ask her what is the price of
that diamond necklace2
Peshid-His majesty inquiries whether
this il your first visit to Constantinople2
Lady II is my first visit, and 1
am delighted with all | have seen.
Reshid Ito Sultan)-She asks LOCO, 900
piasters.
Sultan-That is too much.
Reshid Ito Lady @)-His majesty
asks whether you have seen the mosques.
If not, he offers you a firman.
Lady - expresses her thanks.
Sultan-What price does she put on
that set of turquoises?
Reshid Ito Lady)-His majesty says
that perhaps you would like a walk in
the garden.
Lady - expresses her thanks, and
would like to see the garden.
Reshid-She says 100, coo piasters.
Sultan-Take her away; / shall not
give such prices.
Reshid Ito Lady -)-His majesty
g~raciously expresses satisfaction at having
made your acquaintance.
Lady - courtesies low and with
draws from his majesty's presence to
visit the garden with the amiable and
courteous Reshid Pasha. -Murray'S Maya
zine.